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LAKE FOREST — Nine Bears were healthy scratches in last week’s preseason game against the Seahawks. Aside from David Fales, who did not play so that the quarterbacks could get their reps, Jordan Lynch and Marcus Trice are the only two who did not play that are still with the team.

They both survived the first set of cuts.

It’s never a great sign to not play in a preseason game when one is on the roster bubble. It’s a missed opportunity to put together quality tape, but Lynch will get a lot of chances to prove something in the preseason finale on Thursday in Cleveland.

“I expect you'll see quite a bit of him, I'm sure he'll have an opportunity to carry the football, to do a little bit of what he did a couple of games ago when he got a couple of reps and did very well running the football,” coach Marc Trestman said following Tuesday’s practice. “So it'll be a good opportunity for him to get out there and show what he's learned and how he's improved over the last month of playing a completely new position.

“That'll involve pass protection as well. You know this is a team that brings the blitz, so he'll have an opportunity to get in the pass protection as well, and catch some balls outside the pocket and stuff like that. I'm excited for him and his opportunity.”

In the preseason opener, the only time Lynch got reps on offense, the former Northern Illinois quarterback and Heisman Trophy finalist had seven carries for 24 yards, including a 12-yard run. He played in five special teams snaps against Jacksonville.

“It's a very exciting week, now I get to actually go out there and kind of showcase my talent. I’m really excited,” Lynch told reporters. “I'm prepared for this and I just love football. I get a chance to go out there fly around and have fun.”

The Bears will cut their roster down to 53 players, releasing 22 players, at some point before Saturday afternoon. Lynch is a long shot to make the team, and is certainly a candidate for the practice squad. But he also knows a good performance against the Browns helps his cause to join another team’s roster or practice squad.

“Like the coaches said, you’re not only auditioning for this team, you’re auditioning for 31 other teams,” he said. “Just gotta get some tape on me. The more you can do, the better. And you never know what happens.”

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